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Strange Behavior in New Bird

A.V

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Hello,
Last Sunday we welcomed a baby Green Cheek Conure into our home. The breeder had taken him out of the the nest the same day after approx. 40 days, and we began hand feeding with a syringe. The baby has begun getting accustomed to it, and is now eating 3/day. However, for the past 2 days he has begun making much noise. It began at night, after putting him to sleep after the last feeding. When I checked on him, he was sleeping (eyes closed) while doing this. Today he began doing it in the morning, then after the noon feeding, nonstop. Took him out of his box to comfort him, but wouldn't stop until he fell asleep in my hands. Woke up again and continued. The sounds became progressively louder. He is now asleep in the box, but fussing and making noise in his sleep, shaking his head around and gnawing at the cardboard.

We contacted the breeder, who said this is not normal behavior, and to check for signs of mosquito bites, which we haven't found yet.

Does anybody know what this could implicate? It greatly worries me, since I have read that GCC's tend to be among the least noisy, and the sound-making is very loud and and persistent. Also, I would like to know what the exact amount of food is standard to feed at this stage, since the syringe we were given has no measurement markings, and we weren't able to find one as such until today. We've been feeding about 3/4 a syringe ea. time (breeder's instructions).

Would greatly appreciate any insight.

Thanks!
 

Lady Jane

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How old is this baby? Sometimes when a baby bird makes noises its because they are hungry. @Monica
 

Lesley Yeung

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Gcc's may be considered the least noisy, but that is very relative. My gcc could not be considered anything but noisy. I can't speak for babies. But Bird will sometimes go hours on end squaking at the top of his lungs for no reason.
 

Lady Jane

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Birds really do not do something for nothing. Every action or behavior has a reason in the birds mind.
This is a baby. He is either hungry, frightened or missing his siblings or all of these.
 

Monica

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Monica
At the same time, a content and happy bird is not going to be a loud bird.


Do you have a gram scale?

Have you been weighing the chick to keep track of the weight?

What temperature have you been feeding the food at?

Is the chick pooping normally?

Can you get a video?

Do you have an avian vet you can take the chick to to get an exam?
 

goosegirl

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My first thought like @Lady Jane is that the baby is making noise for a reason. Also like, @Monica I am thinking it may have to do with feeding and the baby's health.

I used to hand feed green cheeks for a friend and if they were properly fed and kept at the right temperature they were generally quiet, or would chatter softly. They only made loud noises when actively feeding or waiting their turn to be fed. It really is crucial to be weighing the baby consistently so you can see if it has a drop in weight or isn't gaining.

I would say get a proper syringe and scale, but first take the baby to a vet. If all is well then make sure food is the right temp, and the baby is full when the crop is filled but not tight or bulging. The crop should also empty before the next feed. Also make sure to be introducing fresh food for the baby to nibble between feeds.
 

Lady Jane

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As your breeder said this is not normal behavior. What are you going to do?
 

safehaven

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Is the baby pooping regularly? Where is the baby sleeping?
 

A.V

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We were advised to and began increasing the amount of formula given for ea. feeding, making sure his crop is empty beforehand, and gets full afterwards but not excessively. This seemed to help at first. However, he has begun making the noise every time we take him out of the box (a carboard one lined with towels, where he sleeps), and trying to get into feeding position when touched.

We plan to take him to an avian vet specialist, but have not been able to yet as the nearest one is hours away (there are only 2 of these where I live).

-He is about 49 days old
- His stool has become slightly watery and dark green
-We have procured a marked syringe, as well as a scale to begin weighing him
-The food temp. is lukewarm (per breeder's instructions) what specific temp. would you recommend?
-What specific amount of food should he be getting at this stage?
-Does anybody know if it is possible to begin exposing him to pea-sized pieces of solid food between feedings at this age?

Thank you
 

safehaven

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I just raised a baby from hatch. The parents ( my birds) fed the baby until 5 weeks and then I started taking over. It was a week struggle though as the baby had to get used to me feeding vs the parents.

What I found helpful in accepting the syringe:
The food MUST be kept at 105 degrees and the tip of syringes dipped back in warm water to keep it warm as well between swallows. If the food dropped below that temp, mine would reject it. The consistency is also important: not too thick and not too runny. Also, position the baby where it can do the feeding response/ wing flap.

Correct on allowing crop to empty and feeling crop during feeding and making sure it is full but not too hard and overfilled.

MY baby started pecking at real food at around 6 weeks.
 
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